NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Full preview
Next week's international auto show in the Big Apple will host at least 15 world debutsThe stage is set for the 2015 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), which will play host to at least 15 global premieres when it kicks off in a week next Wednesday (April 1).
Here's the low-down on the most important reveals.
If GM comes good on its promise to take Cadillac global, the CT6 could top a new range of right-hand drive American luxury cars in Australia, including the mid-size ATS sedan – a rival for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the large BMW 5 Series-size CTS.
However, so far there's no confirmation it will replace Holden's slow-selling sedan of the same name in Australia, where Opel's next Insignia is expected to replace the homegrown Commodore in 2018, riding on the same lighter new platform as the new Malibu.
Spark hatch. GM's all-new city-car will make its world debut in North American, Chevrolet-badged guise at the Javits Center.
It's expected to be closely based on the Opel Karl/Vauxhall Viva previously revealed in Europe and already confirmed for local release as a Holden Spark replacement Down Under in early 2016.
Hyundai
. The Korean's redesigned mid-size SUV is expected to take centre stage in New York, where the US version will debut almost simultaneously with the Korean version at the Seoul motor show.Revealed in Berlin a month ago, Hyundai's new-generation Tucson – which goes on sale here in July — was also shown in plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid forms at this month's Geneva show.
Jaguar
. The leaping cat brand's second-generation XF was pre-revealed in London last night ahead of its world public debut in New York next week.Full official details of Britain's redesigned rival for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series will be announced on April 1, ahead of the start of Australian sales early next year.
The QX50 is not sold in Australia, where Infiniti's smallest SUV is the large QX70, but that should change when the company takes global the production version of its all-new compact QX30 Concept, which makes its North American debut next week.
Kia
. Kia's redesigned mid-size sedan makes its world debut in the Big Apple, just weeks after the Sportspace concept debuted in Geneva, heralding the first wagon version.The new Optima sedan will be released here in petrol, turbo-petrol and hybrid versions for the first time in the final quarter of this year, followed by the all-new Optima wagon.
Details are sketchy, but the next MKS is expected to ride on a new rear-drive Ford platform that will underpin a range of premium Fords, rather than the front/all-wheel drive platform that underpins the upcoming Mondeo and next Taurus, development work on which is currently being carried out in Australia.
Lexus
. Lexus' next-generation RX large SUV will make its global premiere next week, and is expected to grow substantially in size to distance it from the new NX mid-sizer.In fact, it could even grow to offer seven seats for the first time, better arming it to compete with the BMW X5, facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLE and redesigned Audi Q7.
McLaren
. McLaren will debut not one but two new versions of its new 'Sports Series' super-coupe in New York.The all-new entry-level British supercar will be McLaren's first direct rival for the Porsche 911 and new Audi R8 – or at least top-end versions of those models – with pricing from around $300,000.
Mercedes-Benz
. The facelifted version of Merc's large M-Class SUV – to be known as the GLE – will officially bow for the first time in New York, although it's been spied plenty of times.Due on sale here around September, Benz's upgraded X5 and Q7 rival will bring new designs and technologies, including a plug-in hybrid version that's also expected Down Under by year's end.
Nissan
. Nissan's redesigned flagship sedan was previewed in concept form and has been confirmed for its world debut in the Big Apple.No firm details have been supplied and Nissan Australia remains adamant the Altima will continue to be its largest passenger car here, where it forms the basis of its V8 Supercar campaign.
Mitsubishi
. The aging mid-size SUV's midlife makeover has been teased already and will be introduced here in a matter of weeks.Details are unknown, but the 2015 Outlander will bring new styling and technical upgrades, which should also apply to the ground-breaking plug-in hybrid version, to make it more competitive against newer mid-size SUV rivals.
Range Rover
. The new supercharged petrol V6 version of Land Rover's sportiest SUV was revealed this week ahead of its worl public debut on April 1.It could be joined in New York by anall-new super-luxury version of the larger Range Rover, in preparation for new mega-luxury SUVs from Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
That's why we believe it the Targa 4 GTS could make its world debut next week, representing an all-new driver-focussed GTS model for Porsche, following similar versions of the Boxster, Cayman, 911, Panamera and Cayenne.
It's not yet clear what the iA sedan is, but the iM is the production version of the Corolla hatch-based concept seen at last year's LA show.
Expect to see a teaser image of the new Toyota by the end of this week, previewing anything from an all-new compact SUV to a born-again Supra sports car developed with BMW.
So far the German giant's first three-row SUV is not confirmed for other markets including Australia, where a larger seven-seat version of the next Tiguan could fill a similar gap for Volkswagen.
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